Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service helps to maintain an environment in which local businesses can compete on equal terms and the safety and economic interests of consumers are not compromised by unfair or illegal trading practices.
We use a range of techniques, including educating both consumers and businesses on their rights and obligations. Our Service fulfils a number of the statutory obligations of the local authorities and carries out certain enforcement responsibilities.
Following the merger between Somerset and Devon’s Trading Standards services in 2013, Torbay Trading Standards in 2017 and Plymouth Trading Standards in 2021, our Service now covers the areas administered by Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Councils, with a fully shared operation comprising staff from all four authorities and offices in all four areas. The Joint Service allows significant cost savings while maintaining frontline services at a time of public service cuts, as well as a pooling of expertise to form a stronger service overall.
Quick links
Service plans, governance and policies
More about what we do and how we’ve committed ourselves to do it.
Service standards
Including our remit, what you can expect from our officers and how to complain if things go wrong.
Fees and charges
Details of fees and charges.
Our remit – what we can and cannot do
Details on what we can and cannot do for consumers.